A SINGLE mum has been left “frustrated” after having to rearrange work due to the sudden announcement her child would not be returning to the classroom.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that more south Essex schools have been impacted by the concrete crisis that has led to more than 100 across the country being closed or partially shut.

Ann Marie Fitzgerald, 44, has a child in Year 8 at Appleton School, in Benfleet, was told on Friday that her child would be remote learning, rather than returning to the classroom.

As a single-working mum, Ann was forced to ask her employer to work from home - but admitted she may be luckier than many other parents.

She said: “As a single parent who works full-time, I feel deeply let down by the government that they decided to do this last minute before the kids went back to school.

“It is quite frightening to think that the pupils and teachers in Appleton have been exposed to such dangerous surroundings too. The school say there will be remote learning, which is very good for some subjects, but children need the routine of being in a classroom and at school.

“They missed enough school in lockdown. It isn’t good enough from the government. I have had to request special permission to work from home until my son can return to school. I am just lucky I can work from home.”

Appleton School confirmed last week that Years 8, 9, and 10 will be remote learning due to the presence of the concrete at a number of school blocks.

Over the weekend, it was also confirmed The Billericay School, in Billericay, and Bromfords School in Wickford, have also got areas containing the potentially dangerous concrete.

At The Billericay School, a rolling rota has been put in place so different year groups will be on-site each day, while others learn remotely.

The Bromfords School said Year 7 students will still be welcomed on Friday, while new Year 12 students will enrol as normal on Wednesday.

The school said it was confident it could welcome other year groups back from September 11, but this is likely to be on a rotation basis, with remote learning taking place for some students.

Wyburns Primary School in Rayleigh also has issues. A notice on their website states “school starts back on Monday September 3. We can’t wait to see you all online.”